Ocular disorders in a petroleum industry in Nigeria

Abstract

Objective To determine the ocular disorders in the petroleum industry in Warri, Nigeria.

Visual Profile of the Small Scale Industry Workers at the Ambattur Industrial Estate, Chennai

“…This value is much lower than the 56.7% found by Titiyal et al in six industrial establishments at Saharanpur in India in the year 1998 [11] but higher than the selected industrial establishments (cement factory, mining, saw mill and steel works) in Enugu, Nigeria [4] where only 26.2% was found in that study. This does not prove that uncor rected refractive errors can cause eye diseases in factory workers because our data is too small to represent an industrial workforce of 90.1 million in the country [15] and a further survey to be conducted in the future.…”

“…Most of these hazards are preventable if adequate precautionary measures are taken [1][2][3][4]. Worker's eyes may be exposed to a variety of dangerous agents depending on the type of industry which may constitute an occupational hazard [5,6].…”

Solar ultraviolet radiation in Africa: a systematic review and critical evaluation of the health risks and use of photoprotection

“…In support, in a preliminary study based in South Africa, outdoor workers reported painful eyes and blurring of vision during the hottest weather which may indicate ocular sunburn. 7 Conjunctivitis (diagnosed as allergic conjunctivitis) was significantly more common in technical/outdoor workers than in non-technical/indoor workers in the Delta State of Nigeria which lies near the Equator, 9 and thus may represent photoconjunctivitis due to high dose exposure to solar UVR.…”

“…6 Only three studies reported on the acute health effects of sun exposure. [7][8][9] These are considered separately in the following section and are not included in Table 2. There was a notable lack of studies about sun protection practices in Africa.…”

“…54,55 The main risk factors for pterygium are repeated exposures to UVR and to dust, with both together, such as found in desert areas, presenting the highest risk. Pterygium is relatively common in Africa (Table 5) 9,56-70 with a higher prevalence in outdoor workers, 58 some occupational groups, 9,57,[61][62]66 or in association with HIV infection. 68 SCCC is a rare tumour caused by excessive exposure to UVR 70,71 which is more common at lower latitudes.…”